Sunday, April 12, 2009

SILLY SNOWBIRD STUFF III

My son came to the RV park to join me for the dinner they have in the Recreation Hall on holidays. He is having problems organizing his life and I'm feeling the effects mentally and financially. More on that later.

My deviled eggs were a hit. I only made dozen this time because there are usually other people who make them. AND...this week when I went to the food bank they didn't have any eggs available. But, they did give me frozen Beef Roast and Jimmy Dean's frozen sausage.

The F.E.A.S.T. program is a local food bank that my friends had told me that I was probably eligible for. It wasn't until about 6 weeks ago did I apply when I went to deliver some canned goods with the President of the Acclivities Committee. And sure enough, I am way under the yearly dollar cap. And it is only about a 2 miles from my home.

I had no idea it was so close!

When I go I receive a bag of canned and boxed goods, a bag of frozen food, and a bag of fresh food. Things like chicken soup, cereal, tuna, rice, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti sauce, The Worker Bee then will ask me if I'd like milk & eggs (if they have them), tea or coffee. Another bag that contains fruits and vegetables fresh pears, apples, tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms (this week), and perhaps a potaoto or 2, may be handed to me. Sometimes there is a Bag O'Salad & once, a bag of Stir Fry Veggies.

Then I go to the bread rack where I can choose 2 loaves of bread (I usually get 1 Rye for morning toast and 1 white for PBJ or grilled cheese) -and then I can take as many rolls and bagels that I can eat. All of the bread is from Publix Bakery and it is delicious. There is usually grapefruit and oranges (probably donated from people who have trees in their yards), dog & cat food from local Vets (Science Diet). The only rules are that I can go twice a month and no closer than 10 days apart. And the Worker Bee's are so pleasant & friendly.

Lots of stuffies

Back to Marc. In February he was riding the neighbor kids skateboard, fell, and dislocated & broke a hand bone at the wrist. 6 days later he had surgery to pin and set the bones. As a result, he was unable to work as an Optician. He did receive disability payments, but somehow he is 3 1/2 months behind on his jeep payments and owes his landlord $500 ::sigh::

Last week his landlord, who he rents a room from, had company come in from out of town and asked Marc if he could stay with me. Off and on through out the week I asked him if he had a room to go back to. He assured me he did. BUT....at once he remarked that he wanted to talk to me about something, but I would "probably put it in my Blog". Hmmmm??

So Thursday evening came and it had been a week. He slept on the couch. Friday, he asked me if he could stay one more night. he didn't feel like going home. Can you see where this is going? Saturday afternoon, he took me to the mall to get my face cream and just hang out for a while. When we got home he put his stuff in his Jeep, came in, sat down and said he needed to talk. He asked me if he could come and sleep on the couch for 2 months until he got his finances in order. He said it was that or go homeless and his Jeep was about to be repo'd. I told him no. Last time he came to stay for 3 months and he stayed for a year and 1/2. I actually told him to go buy a tent and pitch it up on a beach. Then I made a list of homeless shelters that I found online and gave it to him. And I asked several times if he had called his father (who is working).

Well, the next day I had thought about it and wrote down some rules. Including me making a budget for him to adhere to. His life would be mine. he goes to work and comes home. No drinking, no arguing, and a cigarette budget and a small entertainment allowance after a month. AND I asked him where he plans to go after the 2 months. There has to be a plan. Plus if I say OUT, I mean out. Well he agreed to be open and honest about his finances and open to my help. Well hell, he doesn't have a choice.

But, I know when Marc moved in with Brandon and marc said it was there was going to be a revolving door of chicks and 24 hours of partying that this would bite him in the ass.

Today when he came for dinner he told me he was bringing his things tomorrow or Tuesday. What? I thought I had another week!Plus.....he asked me if I could go to AMSCOT and get a payment loan on my monthly disability check for $300 so his jeep won't be repossessed (sp). Wait-"have you talked with your father-he is working & I can give you a place to live, but not help with money". He said he knew, but this was his last chance. Well, luckily (or not) I could not find my yearly statement which states what my monthly $$ is. He left and I found I did have $350 dollars in the bank between my checking and savings acct. (pretty pitiful, huh?) So my next question is.."how are you going to pay me back?". I guess his company has a their quarterly bonus at the end of the month. So I told him that there went my safety net and if the Mama's not out having fun that he isn't going out either.

OK, on a lighter note. I've got another "Silly SnowBird Stuff " for you. Can you spot what is wrong with this picture?

Oh, Bethe, I feel for you, honey... I know he's your son and you love him.... he's also alot like his Dad so you know to watch him like a hawk!! The weather is nice now, so if necessary, the tent will work. Seriously, if he strays from the rules, tell him to take a hike and go camping. lol

About Me

Hello~I am one of those former military kids that has lived all over the U.S. and then some. I've been journaling about my life the Tampa Bay area for a little over a year now.
I have a former feral kitten named Mau'i and an 11 yr old Maltese Jasmine, Jazzy.